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During a year when uncertainty over the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU might have affected less resilient firms, the UK’s small firms have gone from strength-to-strength online with eBay’s UK Vice President Rob Hattrell telling Express.co.uk that despite Brexit uncertainty “2017 was a fantastic year for our sellers … 2018 looks set to be even better.”

Mr Hattrell says that eBay saw a surge in new small business registrations in January of 2018, with motoring and car parts the top category.

The online giant claims that this helps paint an optimistic picture for the year ahead for all nimble British entrepreneurs on eBay.

He said: “2017 was a fantastic year for our sellers, many of whom saw export growth, with countries like Australia and the US the lead destinations for UK goods on eBay.

“2018 looks set to be even better. This January, we saw small British businesses launching in droves on our marketplace – providing even more choice for customers looking to find a unique product online through their ability to spot new opportunities and sell creatively.”

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Brexit business optimism: 2018 could be a bid year for British firms

With lots of red tape gone, small business owners are feeling more confident and independent than ever. The pound is strong, inflation is down. The UK has a lot to prove, and we're ready.

Joseph Valente

With a year to go until Brexit, a slow but steady surge in confidence can be felt across all small businesses.

We asked a spread of businesses from different sectors how they felt, out of 10 - about the year ahead and the state of play come “Brexit Day”?

Rick Smith, Managing Director of Forbes Burton, a Grimsby-based insolvency and company rescue company told Express.co.uk that he is “8 out of 10 confident about the year ahead”.

He said: “Overall I’m fairly optimistic about Brexit. I’m sure it will present challenges but it will also bring new opportunities.”

Martin Hurworth MD of Harvey Water Softeners, a £25m-turnover, 40-year-old, family-run firm that manufacturers in the UK and exports 25 percent of its products to the EU claims to be 9 out of 10 confident.

“Our order book hasn't slowed despite all the warnings to the contrary and we posted record sales last year, including record exports. The weaker pound after the vote to leave was a major factor in this.”

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eBay HQ, London

As a proud European now living and working in the UK, business owner Marie Le Page, CEO of LivingPackets told Express.co.uk that she is she is 9 of out 10 confident, adding: “I am French, but have lived and worked in London for many years. The UK media seem to take a ‘sceptical’ approach to Brexit and if there's a rare positive headline it's a big ‘surprise’!

“That said, I've seen the start-up, entrepreneurial community in the UK and particularly in London very buoyant and optimistic - even about getting on with the business of a post Brexit UK.”

Finally, Joseph Valente, founder of ImpraGas and winner of The Apprentice in 2015 has come out and declared himself 10 out of 10 confident on the state of play for UK business before “Brexit Day”.

He told Express.co.uk: “With lots of red tape gone, small business owners are feeling more confident and independent than ever. The pound is strong, inflation is down. The UK has a lot to prove, and we're ready.”